The winners of the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2023 have been unveiled, showcasing some of the most stunning shots of the world below the waves and its colorful inhabitants.  The competition’s top prize was swooped by Kat Zhou from the US for their stunning image, titled “Boto Encantado,” which shows a pink river dolphin poking its snout above the surface of the Amazon river. 

Set along the backdrop of dark waters and a beaming sunset, the photograph was picked as it beautifully illustrates an endangered species whose population numbers are desperately dwindling. 

“There’s a legend among locals that river dolphins, or ‘botos’, can transform into handsome men known as ‘boto encantado’ to seduce women. Though I did not witness the transformation, I was enchanted by these beautiful mammals in a different way. After seeing how botos would sometimes bring their beaks above water, I wanted a split shot at sunset. Though the water was so dark that I was shooting blind, this dolphin gave me a perfect pose and smile, ” Zhou said in a statement seen by IFLScience.

“As more people have settled the Amazon, river dolphins began living in closer proximity to human populations,” explained Zhou, “many river dolphins have been killed for use as fish bait, drowned in gill nets or poisoned by mercury pollution from mining. I fear that one-day botos will truly become no more than mythical creatures.”

Over 6,000 pictures were entered in this year’s competition by underwater photographers from 72 countries. 

Since the awards are based in the UK, they also featured a British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2023. Ollie Clarke, who was born in England but now lives in Australia, won this prize for his snap of a whale shark, the largest fish in the world, lurking amidst a shoal of smaller fish in Ningaloo, Western Australia.

Alvaro Herrero from Spain was named “Save Our Seas Foundation” Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2023 for his photograph of a humpback whale dying of starvation in Mexico after its tail became entangled in ropes and buoys.

“Taking this photograph was the saddest moment I've experienced in the ocean,” remarked Herrero. “The photo is a reflection of how our oceans are suffering, the product of man's selfishness and lack of responsibility. But I am, at least, happy that I could capture this moment and can now share it with the world and hopefully drive some real changes.”

A generous sample of the awarded images can be seen below and the full collection can be seen on the competition website. 

You can also check out the winners of last year’s competition here.